To Shoot, or Not To Shoot?

[9.3mauser]

That is the question.

There was a time when I sought out Winchester brass because I thought it was a superior product. That seems to be no longer the case, and quality control is slipping. These are 15 of the worst samples, out of a new bag of 100. There are more, but these are the most severe. I'm not even sure if some of them are useable.

Looks like I'm going to have to belly up to the bar and plunk for some Lapua brass.

 

[bigedp51]

I bought some Winchester .243 and .308 brass a few months ago and will never by Winchester brass again because of its poor quality.

I buy bulk once fired Lake City brass for its low cost and quality.

Below look at the case weight variations of .223/5.56 brass below.

NOTE, Lapua .223 brass is $0.64 each and my once fired Lake City brass is $0.10 *each

.223/5.56 - Cleaned, Deprimed & Swaged - LC Only - 500 Pieces $54.00 free shipping.
http://brassbombers.com/223-556-Cleaned-Deprimed-Swaged-LC-Only-500-Pieces-2LC-S0050.htm

Here in the U.S. Lake City and commercial contract 5.56 ammunition made for the military must meet "higher" quality standards. On top of this military 5.56 brass is harder in the base with a thicker flash hole web that adds strength to the base of the case. So If you can get your hands on military grade 5.56 cases you will have cases made Ford Truck Tough.

And watch out for Federal .223 cases with a thin flash hole web. I had 2005 dated factory loaded Federal .223 cases that had over sized primer pockets after the first firing.

And if you uniform the flash holes on your Winchester brass you could use them as blasting ammo in a AR15 or for close range practice at 100 yards or less.
And after Remington and Winchester lost the contract to produce ammunition at Lake City Army Ammunition plant both companies went down hill. Winchester sold off its brass manufacturing plant and now buys the brass to manufacture its cases from the cheapest vendor. And Olin corporation only makes chemicals to make fertilizers.

 

[Longwalker]

I certainly would not load or shoot that brass. ugly.

 

[yomomma]

Bought some PPU brass. All flash holes were off center. Uniformity non existing

 

[tjsudbury]

And if you uniform the flash holes on your Winchester brass you could use them as blasting ammo in a AR15 or for close range practice at 100 yards or less.
And after Remington and Winchester lost the contract to produce ammunition at Lake City Army Ammunition plant both companies went down hill. Winchester sold off its brass manufacturing plant and now buys the brass to manufacture its cases from the cheapest vendor. And Olin corporation only makes chemicals to make fertilizers.

looks like Winchester is buying all the rejects that nobody else will touch

 

[leonk05]

I would send that brass back to winchester..

 

[supernova]

I would send that brass back to winchester..

I second that.

 

[donor]

Bought some PPU brass. All flash holes were off center. Uniformity non existing

There were some lots of PPU reported 5-10 years ago in 6.5 Swede,223 and I think 308 all with the same problem.Is there a date on the lot you have?If it's recent alert PPU or dealer.

A lot of Win brass has been contracted to S&B and S&B subcontracted it even further,God knows where.Some of WW ammo is also made there,It's right on the box.

 

[Budweiser2]

X 3 sent it back to winchester

 

[VICIOUS]

Flash hole too large,= Spike pressure might be HUGE?

 

[Dfbshaw]

I contacted winchester about some bad factory rounds with crushed necks. I sent them a picture of them and they sent me a cheque.

 

[yomomma]

There were some lots of PPU reported 5-10 years ago in 6.5 Swede,223 and I think 308 all with the same problem.Is there a date on the lot you have?If it's recent alert PPU or dealer.

A lot of Win brass has been contracted to S&B and S&B subcontracted it even further,God knows where.Some of WW ammo is also made there,It's right on the box.

A suckered purchase from the EE. Caveat Emptor

 

['Boo]

Send those photos to Winchester. They should send you some new cases. DON'T shoot those as erratic pressures may result with the king--sized flash holes.

 

[9.3mauser]

I'll get in touch with the Winchester reps and send them the pics. Anybody recall offhand who the distributor is these days?

 

[nw mb]

Send those photos to Winchester. They should send you some new cases. DON'T shoot those as erratic pressures may result with the king--sized flash holes.

...my brother-in-law was an engineer for WW at Olin Brass in East Alton, Illinois back in the 80's. Nothing better at the time and a free bag or 2 as he felt like treating me! Wouldn't buy WW now. Prvi is nice...never thought I'd say that!

 

[Ganderite]

Looks like the QC rejects accidently got packaged. It happens...

 

[K-C]

Looks like the QC rejects accidently got packaged. It happens...

I agree with Ganderite, this has to be the case.

I process much of the bulk brass for my club and most often deprime and wet tumble. I check each flash hole after drying for stuck S/S pins and never see anything more than the very occasional off-centre hole, usually in Norinco .223

If I were you, I would be contacting Winchester...

 

[BrotherRockeye]

x11 or whatever it is now.

It is a defective product, return it.

 

[zuke]

Back it would go!

 

[9.3mauser]

I sent them an email and pics, so I'll update if they get back to me.